Helpline volunteers: unsung heroes of the web
I know it’s a modern cliché, but I am constantly surprised at how relatively easy it is to get advice using the Internet. And so much of...
Being a bit uppity
Looking for something on my computer the other day, I came across this paen to the word "up" which was sent to me some time ago. It needs...
Ten social media mistakes to avoid
As with any business activity, the use of social media needs to be carefully planned. A social-media marketing campaign requires...
Thoroughly tough thoughts
More about our wonderful language... I speak reasonably good French. I learned it at school (well, I scraped an O-level), I have taken...
In praise of the humble apostrophe
This is a revised version of a piece that I originally posted, on the previous manifestation of In my own write, in March 2012. That post...
Homographs, heteronyms, and a love affair with the English language
I’ve always loved words, and ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by the structure and content of the English language. Take, for...
The Internet Archive: a thing of beauty and a joy forever
On a previous version of my website, I had a blog that I published using the WordPress platform. However, when I changed the design of my...
Here's a maxim for good customer service
I’ve always tried, and maybe not always successfully, to use “Promise long, deliver short” as my core customer service philosophy. The...
How to change a website without tears - do as I say, not as I do!
A couple of years ago, I wrote a series of guides for a site aimed at small businesses, all about website and email management. One of...